The goal of this exercise is to encourage the students to listen for both meaning and language development. It is also used to either review or preview topics or subjects which will be (or were) discussed in class.

The following example was given to one of my classes of adult students (upper-intermediate level) who are studying English to help them in their roles as sales people for different international companies. This activity was given as a pre-class activity (i.e., students need to watch the clip before their next class - as we will be discussing the notion of ‘trust’ as it relates to their jobs) in an attempt to build background knowledge and introduce the students to some new terminology/vocabulary they may encounter. It was also given as a tool to encourage the students to reflect on whether or not they agree with the speaker in the clip and to articulate why or why not.

Vocabulary:“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde (1854-1900): don’t try to be someone else – be who you areMantra (n.): a chant, word, or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditationHigher consciousness (n.): the belief of a higher or greater self“Not that there’s anything wrong with that.” - (saying coined in Seinfeld TV show): used to show that an alternative solution/option is also fine or something else is acceptableImpress (v.): to have a positive impact on someoneBombard (v.): assail (someone) persistently, as with questions, criticisms, or informationA million ways from Sunday (idiom): thoroughly, completely, in every way imaginableCredible (adj.): able to be believed; convincingWarts and all (idiom): accept someone/something even with the faults and bad thingsRevel (v.): enjoy oneself; to be involved in thoroughlyGrossly (adv.): extremely; excessivelyUtterly (adv.): 100%, entirelyCourage (n.): strength in the face of pain, fear, or griefTrust (v.): to believe in someone or something

Notes:

This activity can be manipulated to suit any topic and any level (see how to manipulate different variables in this awesome lecture – FITT)

Instruction 5 can be changed to suit the needs, goals, and levels of the students